Somebody's Watching

Elinor Lewy

Cinematic Encounters With the Unusual

  1. hace 22 h

    Episode 29: Cinematic Immunity (w/ Micheal Lee Nirenberg)

    My guest today is scenic artist, filmmaker, and writer Michael Lee Nirenberg, who wrote the book Cinematic Immunity, an oral history told from the perspective of New York film crews, from the 50s to the 2000s. When I came across this book I knew I had to get it right away, it's exciting to learn film history from a completely different perspective! We spoke about how Michael got into the film crew business, the wild days of New York filmmaking, what crews had to say about the likes of Sidney Lumet and William Friedkin, and a whole lot more! Show Notes: CinematicImmunity: An Oral History of New York Filmmaking As Told by the Crews That Got the Shot / Michael Lee Nirenberg Micheal Lee Nirenberg’s instagram Michael Lee Nirenberg’s IMDB Frankenhooker (1990) Back Issues: The Hustler Mag Story (2014) Richard Koszarski On the Waterfront (1954) Boris Kaufman The Out of Towners (1970) The Incident (1967) The Taking of Pelham One Two Three (1974) Michael Lee Nirenberg’s book Earth A.D. The Godfather (1972) The Exorcist (1973) Do the Right Thing (1989) Max’s Kansas City After Hours (1985) Midnight Cowboy (1969) Amos Poe Sidney Lumet William Friedkin Network (1976) Dog Day Afternoon (1975) 12 Angry Men (1957) Spike Lee Randy Jurgensen Three Days of the Condor (1975) The French Connection (1971) Maniac Cop (1988) Law & Order Trading Places (1983) John Landis Twilight Zone: The Movie (1983) Twilight Zone Accident Paul Reubens Malcolm X (1992) All That Jazz (1979) Bob Fosse Mariska Hargitay Ice-T My Mom Jayne (2025) I Love Boosters (2026) Backrooms (2026) The Sopranos (1999-2007) We Need to Talk About Kevin (2011) The Wrestler (2008) The Knick (2014-2015) Boardwalk Empire (2010-2014) Girls (2012-2017) Please Give (2010) The Seven-Ups (1973) Mad Men (2007-2015) Too Much (2025) Taxi Driver (1976) Death Wish 3 (1985) John Waters Desperate Living (1977) Vincent Peranio Follow Somebody's Watching here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram: @somebodyswatchingpod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Email: somebodywatchingpod@gmail.com

    1 h 23 min
  2. 27 may

    Episode 28: Kate Hagen (The Black List)

    Kate Hagen is a film writer, screenwriter, producer, and the senior vice president of The Black List. Kate is a cinephile with great taste, and I don't just say that because a lot of what she likes - I like. This episode, we get into many of Kate's interests: the importance of video stores, the representation of fat women on screen, sex scenes in cinema, and more! Show Notes: Kate’s website Kate’s Letterboxd The Black List The Last Great Video Store Spreadsheet Fat Girls On Film Letterboxd Essay Kate Hagen’s Playboy Article „On Sex, Cinema and the Female Gaze“ The Wizard of Oz (1939) Addams Family Values (1993) The Breakfast Club (1985) Pretty in Pink (1986) Showgirls (1995) Angelica Jade Bastién Fresh Horses (1988) Vidiots Babycakes (1989) Zuckerbaby (1985) Euphoria (2019-2026) The Whale (2022) Joan Didion Crash (1996) Secretary (2002) Cocaine: One Man’s Seduction (1983) Lincoln (2012) Spotlight (2015) Leonard Maltin Jane Campion Anora (2024) Sinners (2025) One Battle After Another (2025) Babygirl (2024) Industry (2020-2027) We Kill For Love (2023) Take This Waltz (2011) Sex, Lies, and Videotape (1989) In the Cut (2003) In the Realm of the Senses (1976) Damage (1992) Dead Ringers (1988) Lovely & Amazing (2001) Nicole Holofcener Bound (1996) Border (2018) Y Tu Mama Tambien (2001) Crimes of Passion (1984) Wild Things (1998) Candyman (1992) Shortbus (2006) Body Heat (1981) 9 Songs (2004) A Walk on the Moon (1999) After Dark, My Sweet (1990) Don’t Look Now (1973) The Last Seduction (1994) Desert Hearts (1985) The Sheltering Sky (1990) The Hunger (1983) Bug (2006) Lust, Caution (2007) The Handmaiden (2016) Breaking the Waves (1996) Romance (1999) Faces of Death (2026) Cinematographe Terms of Endearment (1983) Follow Somebody's Watching here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram: @somebodyswatchingpod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Email: somebodywatchingpod@gmail.com

    1 h 21 min
  3. 27 abr

    Episode 27: Zelluloid42 (w/ Audrey Biasucci & Tarek Strauch)

    I live in Berlin, and something very cool is happening here right now - the film collective Zelluloid42 has been programming film events that this town has sorely needed. In the spirit of the German "Bahnhofskino" (a grindhouse cinema located in or next to a train station, very popular in the 70s and 80s), Zelluloid42 gleefully shows exploitation, horror, and other wonderfully strange obscurities in 16mm & 35mm. I spoke with two collective members, Audrey and Tarek, about their work, German attitudes towards their own film heritage, what's next for them, and a whole lot more! Show Notes: Zelluloid 42⁠ ⁠Zelluloid 42 Instagram⁠ Tarek’s Letterboxd Audrey’s Letterboxd Filmrauschpalast Cinema The Evil Dead (1981) The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974) Cannibal Holocaust (1980) Vampyros Lesbos (1971) Female Prisoner #701: Scorpion (1972) Zeughauskino Douglas Sirk Lumiere Film Festival in Lyon Il Cinema Ritrovato Vinegar Syndrome Samm Deighan’s Patreon BFI Duck, You Sucker! (1971) Der Fan (1982) Deutsche Kinemathek Weimar Republic Yorck Kinogruppe Cineville Z-inema Moviemento b-ware! Ladenkino City Kino Wedding The Devil in Miss Jones (1974) SO36 Videodrom Videostore Man Behind the Sun (1988) Water Power (1977) Mondo Film Jörg Buttgereit Combat Shock (1984) Buddy Giovinazzo Muscle Distribution Vigilante (1982) William Lustig Pink Film Beyond Hypothermia (1996) The Killer (1989) Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer (1986) Dr. Lamb (1992) Biggi (1980) Female Trouble (1974) Thriller: A Cruel Picture (1973) Nightmare USA Lisa, Lisa (1977) The Last House on Dead End Street (1973) Let’s Scare Jessica to Death (1971) The Beyond (1981) The Image (1975) Meiko Kaji Hisasayu Sato A Woman’s Torment (1977) Through the Looking Glass (1976) Jamie Gillis L.A. Plays Itself (1972) Golden Age of Porn Kommkino Follow Somebody's Watching here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram: @somebodyswatchingpod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Email: somebodywatchingpod@gmail.com

    1 h 31 min
  4. 26 feb

    Episode 25: Long-Term Films w/ Marion Biet

    Film academic Marion Biet came on the podcast to talk about long-term films (aka longitudinal films) with me since it's her expertise - making her one of the first to analyze this type of film within an academic framework. Long-term films are films that capture a long passage of time, the most prominent example of this is Michael Apted's Up Series which I refer to a lot during our conversation. We spoke about international long-term films, the ethical dimensions of these films, and their socio-political potential. Show Notes: Marion Biet’s Uni Website Marion's Film L'usine, c'est particulier quand même (2017) Marion’s book Dokumentwerden Up Film Series Children from Golzow (1961-2007) Helena Trestikova DEFA Rene (2008) The Bend Episode – Tony (The Up Series) Neil Hughes from The Up Series 7 Up South Africa (1992) 7 Up Japan (1992) Born in the USSR (1991-) 21 Up New Generation (2014-) Born To Be Different (2003-) Daldongne 33 Up (2020) Before Trilogy (1995-2013) Boyhood (2014) Over the Years (2015) Michael Apted Katka (2010) dafilms.com Anny (2020) Private Universe (2012) Quest (2017) Profiles of Farmers: Daily Life (2005) Cow (2021) Minding the Gap (2018) Follow Somebody's Watching here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter: @somebodyspod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram: @somebodyswatchingpod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Email: somebodywatchingpod@gmail.com

    1 h 8 min
  5. 16/12/2025

    Episode 24: Winona Ryder with Soraya Roberts

    I spoke with culture writer Soraya Roberts about the hyper-literate, captivating Queen of Gen X cool Winona Ryder. We spoke about Winona's incredible run from the late 80s to the late 90s, her tricky transition into more adult roles, the meta quality of her current work, and more. Show Notes: Soraya’s Website Soraya’s Bluesky Soraya’s article on Winona Defector Winona in the Criterion Closet Mojo Nixon video Dr. Katz Professional Therapist – Episode with Winona Ryder Tavi Gavinson interviewing Winona Ryder Lucas (1986) Beetlejuice (1988) Heathers (1989) Mermaids (1990) Greer Garson Random Harvest (1942) Timothy Leary Square Dance (1987) Jason Robards Jane Alexander 1969 (1988) Reality Bites (1994) Edward Scissorhands (1990) Welcome Home, Roxy Carmichael (1990) Holden Caulfield Bram Stoker’s Dracula (1992) The Age of Innocence (1993) The Crucible (1996) Little Women (2019) The Iceman (2012) Alien: Resurrection (1997) Girl, Interrupted (1999) Susanna Kaysen American Pie (1999) Autumn in New York (2000) Night on Earth (1991) A Scanner Darkly (2006) Black Swan (2010) Gen X My So-Called Life Janeane Garofalo The Winona Book Great Balls of Fire! (1989) Cher – The Shoop Shoop Song Mr. Robot Follow Somebody's Watching here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter: @somebodyspod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram: @somebodyswatchingpod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Email: somebodywatchingpod@gmail.com

    1 h 31 min
  6. 25/11/2025

    Episode 23: Sitges 2025

    I took the opportunity during my third time at Sitges Film Festival to chat with some fine people who came to this gargantuan annual celebration of horror. You'll hear from film professor Alison Peirse and film journalist Daniela Urzola who were on Sitges juries (different juries, there are quite a few at this fest), genre filmmakers Arianne Hinz and Avalon Fast as well as film programmers Sabina Pujol and Sara Neidorf, who is also the co-director of Final Girls Berlin with me. I hope this gives you a glimpse of what being at the largest genre film festival in the world is like and that it motivates you to go in the future! Show Notes:Alison Pierse’s Website Alison Pierse’s Instagram Doing Women’s Global Horror Film History Daniela Urzola’s Instagram Daniela Urzola’s Letterboxd Arianne Hinz’s Website Arianne Hinz’s Instagram Avalon Fast’s Website Avalon Fast’s Instagram Sabina Pujol’s Instagram B-Retina Film Festival Filmets Cryptshow Fest Sara Neidorf’s Website Sara Neidorf’s Instagram Mellowdeath Bandcamp Weapons (2025) The Monkey (2025) Barbarian (2022) House of Psychotic Women Kier-La Janisse 1000 Women in Horror (2025) Zodiac Killer Project (2025) Catherine Grant Beyond Clueless (2014) Doing Women’s Film History The ‘Burbs (1989) Piranha (1978) The Fog (1980) Nancy Loomis Joe Dante Picnic At Hanging Rock (1975) Melies D’Or Film Madrid Festival CAMP (2025) Fucktoys(2025) Queens of the Dead (2025) Alice Maio Mackay Vera Drew Jane Schoenbrun Woman in Fan The Plague (2025) Arianne Hinz’s new film Marionettes System Crasher (2019) E.T. the Extraterrestrial (1982) Rabbit Trap (2025) Tornado (2025) Lesbian Space Princess (2024) Honeycomb (2022) Slamdance Festival The Virgin Suicides (1999) American Beauty (1999) Bram Stoker’s Dracula (1992) Anything That Moves (2025) Lucid (2025) Mother of Flies (2025) Hellbender (2021) Castration Movie I (2024) The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974) Fuck My Son! (2025) Alpha (2025) Buffet Infinity (2025) Dead Lover (2025) Frauen Film Festival Jennifer Reeder Toby Poser Sadie Lune Porn Film Festival Berlin Miranda July – All Fours Dollhouse (2025) Touch Me (2025) Gregg Araki But Film Festival The Degenerate: The Life and Films of Andy Milligan (2025) Seeds (1968) Fleshpot on 42nd Street (1972) The Python Hunt (2025) Occupy Cannes! (2025) Mag Mag (2025) Mary Harron I Shot Andy Warhol (1996) American Psycho (2000) Follow Somebody's Watching here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter: @somebodyspod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram: @somebodyswatchingpod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Email: somebodywatchingpod@gmail.com

    2 h y 30 min
  7. 29/10/2025

    Episode 22: James Spader with Amber T

    The off-kilter, libidinous, captivating actor James Spader doesn't get the attention he deserves and this episode is here to rectify that. I spoke with (new) Spader fan and horror journalist Amber T about the talented and unforgettable actor. Welcome to the fold, Amber. We spoke about Spader’s appeal, the sexuality he brings to his roles, why we think he hasn’t received a lot of critical attention, our favorite James Spader films, and more! Show Notes: Amber’s instagram Amber’s bluesky Amber T’s James Spader Letterboxd List My James Spader Letterboxd List Crash (1996) Secretary (2002) Pretty in Pink (1986) Sex, Lies, and Videotape (1989) Team-Mates (1978) Spader in Team Mates Endless Love (1981) Tuff Turf (1985) The New Kids (1985) Supernova (2000) A Killer in the Family (1983) Starcrossed (1985) Brat Pack Bad Influence (1990) John Hughes Patrick Bateman Less Than Zero (1987) Wolf (1994) The Whale (2022) Dream Lover (1994) Brendan Fraser David Duchovny Crash novel Maggie Gyllenhaal Babygirl (2024) Bret Easton Ellis Midnight Cowboy (1969) Jack’s Back (1988) Curtain Call (1998) The Music of Chance (1993) Sex, Lies, and Videotape criterion article Follow Somebody's Watching here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter: @somebodyspod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram: @somebodyswatchingpod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Email: somebodywatchingpod@gmail.com

    1 h 29 min

Acerca de

Cinematic Encounters With the Unusual